So confused... how does this breastfeeding thing work? Which breast first, when to swap etc?

[BarrelOfMonkeys]

I'm getting so much conflicting advice on how I'm supposed to be breastfeeding. Can anyone let me know definitively what I am supposed to do?

• Which breast do I start with, the one I finished on last time, or the opposite breast?

• I've been told to offer the same breast twice, and only switch breasts if baby has been on the same breast for an hour, is this right? Or am I supposed to offer both breasts always?

• I've also been told baby isn't getting enough hindmilk - so how do I get more into her?

I'm so confused about what I'm supposed to be doing and I'm sure my midwife has told me different things on different days... anyone have any answers??

So midwife has just been - no new ideas, we have tried everything it seems, but we did discuss options and have decided that the way forward is to drop the feeds at breast and just stick with bottles. I'm going to express every 4 hours which will hopefully produce enough to alternate her feeds between formula and EBM so she is still getting some breast benefits, and see if we can get to six weeks that way, and review. For the overnight feeds I'll see if she'll take the breast but if not then express instead. I realise it's not an ideal solution but it's one I can live with. Thanks everyone for sticking with me on this, it's been a huge help and got me further along than I would have otherwise. (Madmouse, Starlight and Hensmum especially, thank you.)

(And Bubbleymummy of course!)

Barrel well done. You have thought things through, tried everything and I do hope this works and you get some time to enjoy your lo.

A few posts down you described how you had thought of all your lo's needs, except the much needed cuddle and that is telling.

I was like that after my ds came out of scbu at three weeks having been terrifiyingly ill and with a long list of predicted problems. I was caring rather than mothering and it means missing out for both of you.

Keep posting if you need any support

And never ever feel guilty, ashamed, bullied or whatever for not having bf exclusively to six months. You have tried so hard...

BarrelOfMonkeys- have read the thread and meant to post before now. Just wanted to say I am full of admiration for you and how you have coped with such a difficult situation. It is good that you have come up with a solution that you can live with. I wish you the best of luck and as madmouse says, hope you now get some time to enjoy your baby.

BOM - don't completely give up hope - even if you do end up bottle feeding for the next few weeks to sort out the weight problem you may still end up bf at the end! Hopefully the electric pump will keep up your supply for you - and be easier than the manual one! Plenty of snuggles and skin to skin with your lo is always nice anyway - and maybe now that you have a plan as such you can relax a bit more - sometimes these things just happen when we stop worrying about them. Hope it all goes well in the next few weeks. Well done for sticking with it so far!

Thanks all, we'll see how it goes. DH back at work, survived day 1 solo at least!